After you get a COVID-19 vaccine, what can you do safely?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

About a year into the global pandemic, as the worldwide death toll exceeds a dizzying 2.3 million—nearly half a million in the United States alone—hope has arrived in the form of multiple vaccines created in record time that have shown impressive success in preventing COVID-19.

“What all the vaccines have been is very highly protective against severe disease, hospitalization, and death,” says William Moss, executive director of the International Vaccine Access Center at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. That, he says, is the most important success story of COVID-19 vaccines and will help bring this brutal pandemic under control.

With the number of vaccinated individuals growing daily, many wonder: What previously risky activities, such as meeting up indoors with friends or going out shopping without a mask on, are now safer with a vaccine? This is what the experts say about how to calculate the risks of some common activities after you’ve been vaccinated.

How long after being vaccinated does 'full' immunity kick in?

The two mRNA vaccines that are currently approved for use in the U.S., Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech, involve two doses spaced three or four weeks apart. It takes one to two weeks after the second shot to achieve the maximum level of protection from COVID-19. In clinical trials, these vaccines are each about 95 percent effective in preventing cases of COVID-19.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/2021/02/after-you-get-covid-19-vaccine-what-can-you-do-safely/

[bamagal62]

1. There is a promising study

That someone posted here from Israel. The vaccine has been highly effective.

[llmart]

2. I have seen more and more people in the stores without masks.

Even though it is still a mandate in our state, I'm seeing more and more shoppers in the grocery store where I go without any masks at all. I go there about two times a week and most everyone in our area does comply with wearing masks. However, within the 15-20 minutes that I was in the store yesterday I saw three people with no mask whatsoever. I couldn't help but think that they probably got the vaccine in the first round and now feel perfectly comfortable. I do believe that individual people will be making that decision themselves and not wait until the experts tell us it's safe.

[Chiyo-chichi]

5. Same here, but I don't assume they've been vaccinated.

In fact, the maskless couple I saw at the grocery store yesterday were younger than me, and my state hasn't gotten to my age group yet. Big grins on their faces like they were proud of themselves. And they tend to be loudmouths... I could hear them yelling about burritos from 4 aisles away... AFTER I got away from them.

[llmart]

7. The ones I saw were middle aged and one was even older.

The older one was a woman by herself. The other was a middle aged couple - looked to be married and just buying their weekly groceries. None of them were loud or obnoxious or trying to flaunt it. I still went the other way from them. I wonder if they are vaccinated (could work in a healthcare setting of some sort) if they figure they'll just whip out their card that proves they've been vaccinated if they're confronted by management.

[Mossfern]

12. Where I live

one cannot enter any supermarket or store without a mask whether vaccinated or not.
While I've been out an about I have not seen anyone without a mask.

[llmart]

15. That's supposed to be the case here also.

Signs are posted on all doors. But no one is enforcing it. I have posted before about how I saw the store manager talking with someone right out in the open, not one foot from that customer, and the customer had his mask pulled down under his chin. They were standing at the end of an aisle. It was another employee of the store who told me that was the store manager. I've reported this store to Kroger headquarters at least four times, but of course nothing is ever done. They used to have some teenager sitting at a table at the entrance to the store supposedly monitoring if they come in without a mask on. He was usually staring at his phone. Plus, once they enter the store people can then remove them without consequence. I do self-check always and the older woman who is usually there told me that they've been told they are not to tell people to fix their mask. She was pretty upset saying that employees have to wear these masks all day long, yet they're not allowed to say anything to customers. She also told me that her passive aggressive approach to it was to pretend she doesn't see them when they need help at self-check because she's not about to get anywhere near them.

[Chainfire]

3. I had to start driving and extra 20 miles to buy groceries because of the failure of employees to

wear the masks. The customers were doing fine with only a rare denier. I complained three times to no avail. I am done with Winn-Dixie and all of the related SE Grocers stores, and that is not just for now, but forever.

[spinbaby]

6. I did the same

Our local Giant Eagle didn’t feel safe, so I’m driving 20 miles to a Whole Foods where everyone is properly masked.

[lynintenn]

4. I got my second vaccine this week but

I will continue to wear a mask for 2 reasons. !. I want others to know I take this seriously and want to protect them. 2. Accordingly to CDC I could carry the virus and be asymptomatic since I have been vaccinated.

[Klaralven]

8. For the UK variant, effectiveness is maybe 90%

I wouldn't play Russian Roulette with a 10 shot revolver.

[GulfCoast66]

14. But even then it greatly decreases hospitalization and deaths.

[moonscape]

9. I get my 2nd vaccine in 3 weeks, so 5 more

weeks to freedom! Will be able to be with select loved ones and hug for the first time in a year. My starved spirit is ready.

I’ll remain masked in public until most of the population is vaccinated and we’re told it’s safe. Not a problem for me. I have good, layered, comfy masks. It’s the human contact back in my life that has me wiggling like a kid with Christmas anticipation.

[MuseRider]

11. Same.

I will wear a more comfortable mask but remain that way until the "all clear". Why risk anyone else? The contact will be wonderful with loved ones. I get my second shot on Thursday. So happy!

[roamer65]

10. Masks also help avoid influenza and noroviruses.

I’m not gonna stop wearing them during their prime season.

[forthemiddle]

13. My husband and I both had Covid (with proven antibodies)

Thankfully they were mild cases.

We will continue to wear masks, and social distance. We are going on our first vacation next week, and we plan to visit restaurants, and breweries that are not busy. We will also dine outside whenever possible.

I feel you can let your guard down a little bit, but still be courteous to others.

[gollygee]

16. I want to be able to hang out with my elderly mom again

but I'm not even eligible for a vaccine yet. I'm hoping once we're both vaccinated we can get together like we used to.